Allotriophagy

(an abnormal desire to eat "unnatural" things for food)

The Persistent Eating of Non-nutritive Substances

Pica is an eating disorder typically defined as the persistent eating of non-nutritive substances for a period of at least one month at an age in which this behavior is developmentally inappropriate; for example, 18-24 months. The definition occasionally is broadened to include the mouthing of non-nutritive substances.

An eating disorder resulting from a desire for improper food which results in a higher than normal concentrations of potassium (K+) ions in the circulating blood: Because hyperkalemia can cause lethal cardiac arrhythmia, it is one of the most serious electrolyte disturbances.

The reference to "electrolyte" involves various ions, such as sodium, potassium, or chloride, which are required by cells in the body to regulate the electric charges and flows of water molecules across the cell membranes.